Old School

[OkieAL]

Howdy all,
I'm getting back into diving after 15 year 'surface interval'. My last dive was in 1989 in Oklahoma. Boy things have changed! My gear dry rotted. I had to throw out my old dive tables and found out they call buddy breathing 'archaic' and don't teach it any more. Made me feel old. Well, older... I've signed up for a safety refresher next week and they said this was the best board.

Look forward to hearing from other Old Schoolers.
What else has changed?
Al

 

[nauifins73]

Welcome to the Board - a great place to spend you SI hope it isn't as long this time. Mine seems like 15 yrs. Haven't been diving since last May, but headed to Belize in 14 days.

Where in OK? We have to go to Beaver Lake in NW Ark for any diving - have you tried it?

 

[scubajoe]

Welcome to the board! I think I'll go to Belize with nauifins74!

 

[MgicTwnger]

I got back into diving a few years ago after a 25 year layoff . I figured that I should start from scratch and got re-certified. Here's some of the changes that I noticed:

Equipment in general is much better, more sophisticated and reliable.

It's not cool to get your tanks filled at a gas station.

Computers. Who knew?

There's a lot more divers. There's also a lot more money floating around, and people to take it. The whole infrastructure (certifying agencies, resorts, shops) has really evolved into a huge business.

The certification process is less rigorous. I've run into quite a few divers who don't know their a** from their elbow.

The tech diving community has led the way in innovative equipment design and diving techniques.

Get wet! Enjoy!

 

[maggs_the]

The certification process is less rigorous. I've run into quite a few divers who don't know their a** from their elbow.
QUOTE]

I'm a new diver (yeah, I know you asked for Old Schoolers) and I was surprised at the ease of getting certified. I'm not in the best of shape. I have a few medical conditions that mean I need to take special care. When we did our swim test, we were allowed to stop and rest in the middle of it. I've learned more on my own than from the class which is okay I suppose, but I tend to lean towards the responsible side. I'm very leary of "buddies" out there who've gone thru the exact same training as me because they could easily be a danger.

 

[DennisW]

Al,

Some agencies still teach buddy breathing. It's not archaic and it could save your life. Welcome to the board.

 

[HarleyDiver]

I got back into diving a few years ago after a 25 year layoff . I figures that I should start from scratch and got re-certified. Here's some of the changes that I noticed:

Equipment in general is much better, more sophisticated and reliable.

It's not cool to get your tanks filled at a gas station.

Computers. Who knew?

There's a lot more divers. There's also a lot more money floating around, and people to take it. The whole infrastructure (certifying agencies, resorts, shops) has really evolved into a huge business.

The certification process is less rigorous. I've run into quite a few divers who don't know their a** from their elbow.

The tech diving community has led the way in innovative equipment design and diving techniques.

Get wet! Enjoy!

I am also back after a 25 year SI & agree with all of what MgicTwnger says.
PLUS.. there is Nitrox aka Geezer Gas, good stuff..

 

[Rick Inman]

I also took about a 20 year SI. The biggest change is that the things we used to do, today will kill you. But back then they wouldn't. (I miss my J valve....). But, like neck ties, some things come back around and are back in style. Wish I hadn't thrown away my old Jet fins.

Welcome back!!

 

[MgicTwnger]

Wish I hadn't thrown away my old Jet fins.

Welcome back!!

Buy a new pair. I did.

 

[DandyDon]

Howdy!

Welcome to SB!! :happywave Put us in your computer's favorites and check in often. This is a great place to learn, compare, argue Look around our various forums - everything from New-To-Scuba to Instructors-Only.

don